4. Jarrus

Ihated these pre-auction receptions. For one thing, I towered over everyone in the room, except the odd ogre or troll who attended, of which there were three of each this time. Second, the women watched me with a mix of odd fascination and outright fear. It didn't matter that I worked hard on developing courtly manners or treated them gently. My size intimidated them, and I was large even by minotaur standards. It was as if they could sense the rough mercenary in my background, knew I wasn't a fancy lord or wealthy landowner. My coin was earned on the battlefield, as were my manners.

I didn't dare sit in any of the offered seating, for fear it would break under my weight, though I really wanted to, hoping it would reduce their intimidation. Instead, I was left to loom over everyone in the corner, my hooves making loud clopping noises every time I moved, despite the coverings offered at the door, causing the women to freeze as if they were prey caught in a hunter's trap.

This was a mistake. I shouldn't have wasted my coin again this season. These women were too small for the likes of me. The fire-haired one maybe could be trained to take me, with her plump curves and sturdy figure. She had full breasts, rounded hips, and a plump ass I'd like to see jiggle when I swatted it. I'd have to get closer to see if she was a scent match. Then I'd know if she could complete the training. But she appeared terrified of all who came near her.

Kharag joined me by the window and handed me a cup of weak tea in a delicate china cup. I took it gingerly, afraid to break the delicate piece of china. "Not a promising batch this year. None will even speak with me. Afraid of my scars and age, most likely."

"Or maybe it's the lordling holding court, with his fine manners and fancy clothes," I pointed out.

Kharag grunted and glowered at the room. He wasn't wrong. Neither of us had gotten any of the women to speak to us, and that boded ill for the auction later that evening.

"The fire-headed one isn't talking to anyone. Odelia isn't happy with her," Kharag commented.

The auction mistress was dragging the girl to a few groups, and the younger woman looked terrified. Of course, bringing her to the goblin horde might not be the best introduction for the girl. I knew many males who would avoid a goblin horde, especially Azad's horde. But Odelia wanted the money the goblins had, and she was afraid to offend the borderline criminal horde. Retaliation would be swift if she did.

"She's comely, considered the top prize this year, but not with terror in her eyes," I said.

Kharag nodded, studying the girl. "I heard she is one of those portal women. Came through a couple of weeks ago."

A portal? I'd heard about them. Very disorienting for the beings who came through, though most often they were human. Occasionally, there were a few demons or vicious, evil creatures who needed to be tracked and put down. The closest minotaur clans, sometimes other species, kept track of the portals and guarded them. My herd patrolled our lands for portal beasts and I had served with a unit who performed the same function in the borderlands, where those portals spit out terrifying creatures. But there were also roaming portals that spit out beings and disappeared, moving to other locations and dumping unwilling parties into unknown lands.

I eyed the girl with a measure of sympathy and regret. "Poor girl. Well, that's it then. Another purse wasted on an auction."

Kharag sighed and stared at the delicate china cup in his green hand. "If only the food could compensate for it."

* * *

Kharag and I stood there talking in low tones for a while when I realized we weren't alone. A shape filled out the drapes next to us and a pleasant lilac scent drifted over to us, overshadowing a delicate, female tone. I wanted to revel in that scent, roll my face in it, lick it up, and dive back in for more. A female who could possibly be a scent match, a possible bond for me. My cock hardened in my trews and I angled myself away from the room.

Kharag gave me a questioning look, then stiffened as he caught the scent. He cocked his head and started to turn toward the shape. I grabbed his arm and shook my head once in warning.

"Little one. Come out. We won't hurt you." I spoke softly, quietly, but I knew my deep tones were still deep and rumbly, probably still scary.

She poked her head around the edge of the fabric and stared at us wide-eyed and terrified, especially now that she was cornered. It was the fire-haired female and excitement burned in me, along with another emotion I hadn't felt in a long time. Hope.

I exchanged a look with Kharag and by unspoken agreement, we both backed up a step to give her space, though I knew he struggled as I, judging by the way the front of his trews's tented at her nearness.

"Don't tell anyone I'm here. I needed some space." She spoke softly, glancing around the room as if expecting someone to grab her and drag her off again. Which wasn't far off the mark.

"From the goblin horde?"

"Are they the little gray green creatures who scuttle about?" I nodded, and she shuddered. "They're everywhere. How many are here?"

Kharag looked around. "Azad only brought a portion of his horde. Eight, I believe. Though I wouldn't doubt if he had more scattered around the town."

"A portion?" she squeaked. "How many are in his horde?"

"Easily twenty or more. But they do not all share a mate. They are not all worthy," I assured her. "But the horde only has one queen."

She looked as if about to faint. "He doesn't seem very nice."

I looked at Kharag again. The rules of the auction were clear. No one could interfere with another bidder, in any way. We could not speak out against anyone, no matter what we'd heard, and I really wanted to warn this little female away from the goblins, especially if she wasn't from here. Azad wasn't a nice goblin, and his horde had been desperate for a queen for some time now. Most goblin hordes treated their mates well, with the women choosing who had breeding rights. But Azad had a reputation for cruelty and domination beyond traditional discipline, and he disregarded his queen, treating her more like a slave than a queen. Another horde would be fine, as goblins worshipped their queen typically. But it would be a shame for this beauty to go to Azad's horde.

But rules were rules.

Fortunately, the woman had shrunk against the wall, having caught the eye of Odelia, who strode over, a fake smile pasted on her face, her displeasure clear in her eyes. "I see you've met two more of our bidders, Olivia. Jarrus is very well respected in his minotaur clan. And Kharag is the next leader of his orc clan. Both strong warriors."

When Olivia said nothing more, Odelia sniffed and leaned forward as if to grab the woman. I stepped in. "We'd like more time, if that's acceptable. One of your girls appears to need you with one of the trolls."

Odelia turned to see the troll trio surrounding one of the girls, who looked a bit terrified, and cursed under her breath. "Thank you, Jarrus. Remember to mingle, Olivia."

With that admonishment, she disappeared. Olivia sagged against the wall. "Thank you. I don't know if I can take much more."

Another young woman came over, a dark-haired beauty who seemed kind yet firm. "Olivia. Shall we walk about the room?"

The way the question was phrased implied it was not a request, and Olivia nodded, a bit reluctantly. "Thank you, gentlemen. It was nice speaking with you."

And she left with the other woman, headed for the orc lordling.

So much for us trying to make an impression. Though I suspected my opinions on the auction had changed.